THE MAN charged in connection with the killing of Kenny Meyler was known to his victim and is also Irish.
Dubliner Vincent Martin Crowe (32) appeared at Perth Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday charged with grievous bodily harm.
Now police in Western Australia have said charges against Crowe may be upgraded following the results of a post-mortem examination.
According to Australian law anyone convicted of murder can be jailed for life, but the maximum term imposed usually amounts to a 20 year sentence.
Crowe is due to appear in court again on Monday, February 25. The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that Crowe is Irish.
Investigations are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding Kenny Meyler’s death. It is believed the 21-year-old was attacked from behind in a house on Helmsley Street, in the coastal suburb of Scarborough on the afternoon of February 10th and grievously injured in the neck and spinal chord when he was stabbed with a large craving knife by his attacker.
A source said: “It was 108 degrees in the room. Kenny was on the ground and the guy, who was a friend of a friend of Kenny’s just attacked him and stabbed him. It was totally unprovoked.”
Detectives from Mirrabooka police station in Perth have called for assistance from anyone who may have seen something occurring at the house where Mr. Meyler was assaulted. A person who contacted a police line is believed to have recorded some of the events on their phone.
Police in Perth received reports on Sunday, February 10 of three to four men fighting at around 2 pm. Inspector David Picton-King said Mr. Meyler was kicked, punched and stabbed during the frenzied attack.
Local media said another man had a bottle smashed over his head during the fight.
Insp. Picton-King said the men had been drinking and that there were several witnesses. Police also said one of the witnesses recorded the stabbing on their mobile phone.
Mr. Meyler had been working in the construction industry in Australia but he was due to travel to Sweden in a matter of months, to work for his father, Dermot, there. He hoped to eventually find work in Wexford.
Prior to emigrating to Australia two years ago Kenny as he was known locally, boxed for the Wexford CBS Boxing Club in the town. The day before he left he called into the boxing club to express his thanks for their help and support down through the years.
During a short career with the club Mr. Meyler was known as a dedicated trainer meeting with some success on the county scene in the novice grades.
Club trainer, Eddie Bolger, spoke of his shock on hearing of the news.
“It’s devastating for the family, his friends and everyone who knew him.
“I knew him in the club but he was more into the training end than competitive boxing.”
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